Of 25 patients who entered a year-long double-blind comparison study of high (12 mg/day) versus low (3 mg/day) dosages of ergot mesylates (Hydergine), 17 completed the full year of study and no patients suffered problematic side-effects. On a number of complex tests of memory function, there was no difference between the patients receiving low-dose versus high-dose Hydergine. There were also no significant between-group differences in recognition memory. incidental memory, naming ability, figure drawing, mood or other psychiatric symptoms. These data confirm that Hydergine is safe and that trials in a low dosage range may suffice.
KEY woaus-Alzheimer's disease, dementia, Hydergine, ergot mesyhtes.
Several classes of drugs have been used to treat patients with presenile and senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type (Alzheimer's disease). These include neuropeptides, nootropics, and drugs that have a direct effect on the cholinergic system. Hydergine, the most commonly used nootropic in the world, consists of three hydrogenated alkaloids of ergot. With a 30-year history of use, it has been shown to be extremely safe, even with long-term administration (Spiegel et a/., 1983).
At least 12 placebo-controlled studies have compared Hydergine either with placebo alone or with placebo and papaverine (Bazo